Method of feeding chemicals



Feb. i3, 1951 E. B. WHITE METHOD OF FEEDING CHEMICALS Filed May 22, 1947TIME COMFORTABLE SAFE ZNE=.-.5

9 l0 ll /ZN l Z 5 4 5 6 7 8 .9 lo l/ /ZN l 8 7 6 5 4 JM., A 6 Z ar D. WN 1 a z w M A 9 5 6 M 7M u ,En R 5 n. m 2 2 w n A 9 8 Patented Feb 13,1951 UNITED STATES BATENT OFFICE METHOD F FEEDING CHEMICALS Eugene B.White, Oak Park, Ill. Application May 22, 1947, Serial N0. 749,692 l y8Claims. (Cl. ZIO- 11)v The invention relates generally to a method offeeding chemicals or the like, and more particularly to such a methodwhich may be Vreadily adapted for use in feeding or injectingsterilizing or antisepticizing chemicals into'a water supply line orsystem.

The present Vinvention also is particularly adapted for appication tovthe treatment of swimming -pool water in pools of the 'll and drawtype, as well as pools of the circulating type. With respect to vsuchvswimming pools, it is customary to employ mechanical means forinjecting the antisepticizing materials into the poolY water, this beingaccomplished by making a concentrated solution of the antiseptiCZiIlgChemicas and injecting the solution by some 'form of mechanical meansvor the like into the water entering the pool. It is customary in suchpools to endeavor to maintain a residual of from threetenths tofive-tenths parts per million of the antisepticizing material, which isgenerally chlorine, in the pool at all times. However, as the methodemployed at present is to feed the soution at a substantially uniformrate into the pool Water already containing such material, it will beapparent that the maintenance of the residual within the desired limitsinvolves more or less constant attention of the operator.

The present invention has among its objects the utilization of a novelmethod of feeding chemicals or the like, whereby the concentration ofthe solution iniected may be automatically varied over a period of timeto achieve the desired results. For example, in the case of swimmingpools the residual of chlorine in the pool Water may be automaticallycontrolled to maintain the residual within predetermined limitssubstantially throughout the normal period of 'pool use.

Another object of the invention is the utilization of such a methodwhich requires a minimum amount of attention from the operator toachieve the desired results and which may be readily utilized with poolsof either the ll and draw type or of the recirculating type.

A further object of the invention is the utilization of such a methodwhich is very simpley and at the same time very eicient for the purposesintended.

Many other objects and advantages of the invention herein show-n anddescribed wil be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosureherein given. y

For the purposes vof illustration, the present invention is illustratedin connection with water 2 supply systems, particularly those utilizedin swimming pool water systems. However, it will be apparent to thoseskiled in the art that the present invention may be readily adapted foruse in feeding chemicals of Various types wherein similar feedingcharacteristics are desirable.

In the drawings, whereinr like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts:

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view ofl a swimming pool system of therecirculating type, utilizing the present invention;

f Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 1 of the application ofthe present invention to a swimming pool system of the ll and draw type;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View showing the app`ication of the presentinvention to a water or other Vfluid supply line;

Figl is a graph showing the results obtained by use of the presentmethod in the sterilization of swimming pool water; and

Fig. 5 is a graph similar to that illustrated in Fig. 4 with the resultsobtained in the sterilization of swimming pool Water, utilizing presentmethods of feeding the sterilizing material.

Referring to Fig. l, I indicates generally a swimming pool having aninlet 2 for water entering the pool and an outlet '3. The outlet 3 isconnected by piping li, to the low pressure side of a suitablecirculating pump 5, a suitable strainer 6 being interposed in the lineif desired. The high pressure side of the pump 5 is connected by piping'i to suitable filters 8, the outlets of which are in turn connected bypiping 9 to the inlet 2 of the pool. Thus, the pool water is constantlybeing withdrawn through the outlet 3 to the pump 5 through the line l,lters and piping 9 back to the pool. 'The construction thus described istypical of systems now in use and in the absence of the use of thepresent invention, the sterilizing material might be added directly tothe pool water or, if in solution form, fed by mechanical means, such asa pump, into the return line, it being common in such cases to introduceit inthe line between the filter and the pool inlet, or in other words,in the piping 9.

The present method is illustrated in connection with, and preferablycontemplates, the use of a hydraulic injector indicated generally by thenumeral ll, having its inlet l2 connected to the high pressure side ofthe pump 5 by piping i3 communicating with the piping 1, and the outletvlll of the injector connected by piping l5 to the piping 4 and the lowpressure side of the pump 5. The injecting means may be of any suitabledesign as -for example, the injector mechanism illustrated in myco-pending application, Chemical Feeder, Serial No. 749,691, filed May22, 1947. The sterilizing chemicals are prepared in the form of asolution and placed in a suitable tank I6 and adapted to be withdrawninto the injector I! through a tube or piping I'I. Water from the highpressure side of the pump 5 may also be admitted into the tank I6through valve I8, piping I9 and valve 2l, the latter beingdiagrammatically illustrated in the present instance as being of a floatactuated type and adapted to be opened and closed by the fall and riseof the liquid level in the tank I6.

In practicing t-he present invention, the operator will determine theresidual of sterilizing material in the pool Water before initiating thesterilizing operation, and knowing the pool capacity and period of usedesired, can calculate the amount of chemicals required in accordancewit-h common practice. The chemicals are then added to and mixed withthe water in the tank I6 after which the system i5 placed in operation,the rate of feed being so determined as to produce the desired results.

When the system is in operation, the pump 5 will draw water from thepool through the pipving 4 and back to the pool through piping 1,

filters 8 and piping 9, a portion of the water circulated beingby-passed from the high pressure vside to the low pressure side of thesystem through piping I3, injector II and piping I5, the by-passedvolume of water being relatively small compared with that' beingrecirculated through the pool. As the water ows through the injector II,the antisepticizing solution will Ybe drawn from the tank I6 through thepiping I'I into the injector and ultimately into the low pressure piping4 ofthe system to the pool I.

As the fluid level of the solution in the tank falls as a result of theinjection thereof into the system, the float valve 2I will open to admitwater into the tank I6, thereby bringing the fluid level up to itsoriginal position. Thus, as uid is withdrawn from the tank I6, thechemical concentration of the solution therein will be undergoing areduction due to the admission of the diluting water through the valve2|. When the feeding operation is rst begun a solution of maximumconcentration of antisepticizing material is fed into the pool, therebybuilding up a residual of such material in the pool water. However, asthe concentration of the solution being fed decreases, the residual willtend to level off, and upon further feeding action will then begin todecline.

This action is graphically illustrated in Fig. 4, wherein it isarbitrarily assumed that the period of pool use will run fromapproximately 9 a. m. to l p. m., this being a common operationalperiod. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be 4noted that when freshantisepticizing solution is first fed into the pool in the morning at 9a. m., the residual curve will rise very steeply to -bring it within thedesired operating limits by 9 a. m., when the pool is first open foruse. The curve then starts to level off through the forenoon and earlyafternoon 'at the upper limits desired. It will be apparent that thesolution Will have been diluted to such an extent that it isapproximately just making up normal losses in residual conl tent overthis period. From about p. m. the residual begins to drop as thedilution of the solution has reached a point where it will notcompensate for normal losses. It will be noted that the curve does notdrop below the lower I9 and valve I8.

4 limit set, of three-tenths P. P. M residual, until 10 p. m., theassumed end of the period during which the pool is in use. The curvethen levels 01T until the residual content is approximately one-tenth P.P. M. at 8 a. m., at which time the cycle is repeated.

Fig. 5 graphically illustrates a residual curve comparable to Fig. 4 butemploying present methods of feeding the chemicals. The residual curveillustrated on this graph is typical of feeding methods wherein asolution of substantially uniform concentration is fed into a poolsystem, and it will be noted that as the sterilizing solution is fedinto the pool the residual content rises at a uniform rate. When theresidual reaches the maximum desired limit, it is necessary for theoperator to stop the feeding action, at which point the residual contentbegins to decline. It will be apparent that with this method the periodof time that the residual content is within the predetermined limits isrelatively short compared with the results achieved by the use of thepresent invention. It will also be apparent that while the residualcould be raised by again starting feeding of the solution, the constantattention of the operator would be required, and that if the operatorfails to stop the feeding at the proper time, the residual will continueto rise above the desired maximum limit.

While the present invention has been disclosed in conjunction with aswimming pool system of the circulating type, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that the method is also readily applicable toother types of pool or water systems.

Fig. 2 illustrates the application of the present invention to a poolsystem of the fill and draw type wherein fresh water under pressure, asfor example from a city pressure line, is admitted to the pool andsimultaneously therewith water is beingr lost from the pool through theoverow, etc. Referring to Fig. 2, I indicates a swimming pool having aninlet 2 and an outlet 3', the inlet 2 being operatively connected to asource of fresh water under pressure, indicated by the piping 2|, theoutlet 3" being connected by piping 22 to a drain or other wastedisposal means. Valves 23 and 24 in the respective piping control theamount of water admitted to and drained from the pool. The inlet I2 ofthe injector II is connected to the piping 2i by the piping I3', withthe outlet I4 of the injector connected by piping I5' to the pool inlet2. It will be noted that the inlet I2 of the injector is connected tothe piping 2I at the high pressure side of the valve 23 and the piping I5' to the outlet 2' through a pipe 24 of such a diameter that thepressure in such pipe -Will be less than that in the piping I3',`so thatthere will be a pressure differential between the piping I3 and thepiping I5' regardless of the position of the Valve 23. The tank I6 andpiping Il are employed in the same manner as has been heretoforedescribed in connection with the system illustrated in Fig. l, with thecat valve 2l connected to the line I3' through the piping The resultsachieved with such system will be the same as has been heretoforedescribed with respect to the system i1- lustrated in Fig. 1, solutionbeing fed from the tank I 6 into theV injector II, piping I5 and intothe pool, the solution being simultaneously diluted with water from thepiping I3 through valve I8', piping I9 and oat valve ZI. l 'I asume Thepresent method may also be employed in connection with other watersupply lines, as for example, in connection with the antisepticizing ofpotable water supplies and reservoirs thereof. Fig. 3 illustrates theapplication of the present vinvention to such a system wherein thesterilizing solution is fed into a supply line. Referring to Fig. 3, 3!indicates generally a supply pipe which, for example, may be carryingwater into a reservoir, thewater flow being in the direction of thearrows.- Interposed in the water line is. a restricting orificeindicated generally by the numeral 32 which will create a pressuredifferential on opposite sides of the orifice, the side 3 la being thehigh pressure side and the side Sib the relatively low pressure side ofthe line. In this application the inlet l2 of the injector El isconnected by piping 33 to the high pressure side 3m of the line and theoutlet I4 is connected by piping 35 to the low pressure side 3&1) of theline. The tank l5 and piping II are as previously described and the oatvalve 2l is operatively connected to the piping 33 through piping 39 andvalve 38. Obviously, the results achieved in this application of theinvention will be the same as that previously described for the poolsystems illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and as graphically illustrated inFig. 4.

It will be noted in the examples given above that the material being fedis'initially mixed with a relatively small volume of the receiving uid,by-passed from a main fluid line, and then fed into and mixed with thelarger volume of uid flowing in the main line; and in the case of poolsor reservoirs is iinally mixed with the much greater volume of fluid inthe pool or reservoir.

- Thus, particularly in the case of swimming pools,

the materials fed are mixed and diluted in a series of steps, wherebyexcessive localized concentrations are eliminated.

It will be noted from the above disclosure that I have produced a novelmethod of feeding a chemical solution, the utilization of which willautomatically vary the concentration of the materials being fed toproduce the desired results. It will likewise be apparent that While Ihave illustrated the application of my invention in connection withswimming pool and water supply systems, my novel method may be readilyemployed in feeding other types of materials into fluid systems where itis desirable to vary the concentration of the materials being fed.Furthermore, it will be apparent that while I have illustrated theapplication of my method in connection with a hydraulic feedingmechanism, the invention may be readily utilized in connection withfeeding mechanisms of various types other than hydraulic.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact arrangement and method herein shown anddescribed, or uses mentioned. Y

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l.. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supplyline, comprising creating a pressure dierential in different portions ofsaid line, lay-passing water from the high pressure side to the lowpressure side of said line, injecting a sterilizing solution into thewater so by-passed, and simultaneously continuously reducing theconcentration of the sterilizing solution being fed.

2. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supply line,comprising creatinga pressure differential in different portions of saidline, ley-passing water from the high pressure side to the low pressureside of Said line, providing a supply of a sterilizing solution ofpredetermined volume, injecting said solution into the water soby-passed and simultaneously diluting said supply of solution with waterfrom said supply line to continuously reduce the concentration of thesterilizing solution being fed.

3. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a water supply line,comprising creating a pressure differential in diierent portions of saidline, Toy-passing water from the high pressure side to the low pressureside of said line. providing a supply of a sterilizing solution ofpredetermined volume` injecting said solution into the Water soby-passed and simultaneously adding water from said supply line to thesupply of solution to maintain the volume thereof substantiallyconstant, and to continuously reduce the concentration of said solution.

4. The method of feeding sterilizing materials intoa swimming pool watersupply or circulation system, comprising providing a supply ofsterilizing solution of suicient volume and strength for providingadeguate water sterilization over a desired periodr of time, injectingsaid solution into the pool water supply line, in relatively smallamounts compared to the initial volume of the injecting solution, andsimultaneously reducingr the concentration of said supply of solutionduring the injection of such solution to maintain the residual contentof sterilizing material in the nool water substantially withinpredetermined limits over such period of time.

5. The rnethod of feeding sterilizing materials into a swimming poolwater system of the fill and draw type, utilizing a fresh water supplyunder pressure. comprising providing a supply of sterilizing soliutionof predetermined volume', feeding said solution in relatively smallamounts compared with the initial volume of the solution, into the freshwater supply line to said pool, and simultaneously diluting said supplyof solution with water from said fresh water supply to continuouslyreduce the concentration of the solution being fed. f

6. The method of feeding sterilizing materials into a swimming poolwater system of the fill and draw type, utilizing a fresh water supplyunder pressure, comprising providing a supply of sterilizing solution ofpredetermined volume, feeding` said solution in relatively small amountscompared with the initial volume of the solution, into the fresh watersupply line to said pool, and simultaneously adding water from saidfresh water supply to said supply of solution to maintain the volume ofthe latter substantially constant, the concentration thereof diminishingas the solution is fed.

7. The method of feeding or injecting a solution into a fluid system,comprising providing a predetermined volume of the solution to be fed,feeding said solution in relatively small amounts, compared with thetotal initial volume ofy the solution, into the receiving fluid, andadding a diluting fluid to such supply of the solution during thefeeding process, to maintain a substantially constant volume of solutionand a corresponding diminution of the strength of the solution. i

8. The method 'of feeding sterilizing materials into a Swimmingpoolwater supply or circula- -tion system, comprising providing a supply ofa sterilizing solution of predetermined volume, injecting said solutioninto the pool water supply line in relatively small amounts comparedwith the initial volume of the injecting solution, and

adding Water to said supply in a predetermined ratio to the reduction inthe volume resulting from injection thereof into the pool Water supplyline, and thereby substantially continuously reduce the concentration ofthe solution being fed throughout the period of feeding.

EUGENE B. WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Butler Oct. 13, 1891 Number NumberNumber 8 Name Date Elfreth Jan. 22, 1907 Sevcik Mar. 14, 1922 HartmanDec. 1, 1925 Sutphen et al June 10, 1930 Dresher July 11, 1933 HendersonMar. 26, 1935 Ornstein Nov. 24, 1936 Echagaray May 25, 1937 Bowers et alMar. 29, 1938 Pick Apr. 29, 1941 Nielson et al. May 27, 1941 Alerad etal. Feb. 2, 1943 Gershon Feb. 16, 1943 Lindsay Apr. 25, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Country Date Germany Mar. 8, 1935

